Remote Distributed Antenna System

ABSTRACT

A distributed antenna system is provided that frequency shifts the output of one or more microcells to a 60 GHz or higher frequency range for transmission to a set of distributed antennas. The cellular band outputs of these microcell base station devices are used to modulate a 60 GHz (or higher) carrier wave, yielding a group of subcarriers on the 60 GHz carrier wave. This group will then be transmitted in the air via analog microwave RF unit, after which it can be repeated or radiated to the surrounding area. The repeaters amplify the signal and resend it on the air again toward the next repeater. In places where a microcell is required, the 60 GHz signal is shifted in frequency back to its original frequency (e.g., the 1.9 GHz cellular band) and radiated locally to nearby mobile devices.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/907,246 filed May 31, 2013 by Farhad Barzegar et al., entitled“Remote Distributed Antenna System.” All sections of the aforementionedapplication(s) are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The subject disclosure relates to wireless communications, e.g., toproviding a remote distributed antenna system using signals in definedbands, such as microwaves.

BACKGROUND

As smart phones and other portable devices increasingly becomeubiquitous, and data usage skyrockets, macrocell base stations andexisting wireless infrastructure are being overwhelmed. To provideadditional mobile bandwidth, small cell deployment is being pursued,with microcells and picocells providing coverage for much smaller areasthan traditional macrocells, but at high expense.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a distributed antenna system in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a distributed antenna system in accordance with variousaspects described herein.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a distributed antenna launcher system in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a distributed antenna repeater system in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a distributed antenna launcher system in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a distributed antenna repeater system in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example, non-limitingembodiment of a millimeter band antenna apparatus in accordance withvarious aspects described herein.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting embodimentof a method for providing a distributed antenna system as describedherein.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an example, non-limiting embodiment of amobile network platform in accordance with various aspects describedherein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more embodiments are now described with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to likeelements throughout. In the following description, for purposes ofexplanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the various embodiments. It is evident,however, that the various embodiments can be practiced without thesespecific details (and without applying to any particular networkedenvironment or standard).

To provide network connectivity for increasing numbers of mobiledevices, a distributed antenna system is provided that allows one ormore base stations to have antennas that are distributed over a widearea. Small cell deployments can be used to supplement the traditionalmacrocellular deployments and require a pervasive and high capacitynetwork to support them.

Various embodiments disclosed herein relate to a microwave system thatcarries the output signals of one or more microcells (or picocells,femtocells, and other types of small cell deployments) on a carrier wavethat has a frequency corresponding to a millimeter-wave band (e.g., 60GHz and higher). However, various embodiments disclosed here can operateat nearly any microwave frequency. A cluster of one or more microcellbase station devices can be housed at a launching point, and serveseveral microcells in its vicinity. The RF (radio frequency) outputs ofthese microcell base station devices can be used to modulate a 60 GHz(or higher) carrier wave, yielding a group of subcarriers on the 60 GHzcarrier wave. This group will then be transmitted in the air via anespecially designed analog microwave RF unit, after which it can berepeated or radiated to the surrounding area. The repeaters amplify thesignal and resend it on the air again toward the next repeater. Inplaces where a microcell is required, the 60 GHz signal is shifted infrequency back to its original frequency (e.g., the 1.9 GHz cellularband) and radiated locally to nearby mobile devices.

As the 60 GHz carrier hops from one antenna site to the next, varioussubcarriers can be added or dropped depending on the trafficrequirements of that site. The selection of channels to be added ordropped can be controlled dynamically as traffic loads shift. The returnsignals from the mobile devices can be modulated to another frequency inthe 60 GHz range and can be sent back in the opposite direction to theoriginal launching point. In another embodiment, time-division duplexingcan be used and the return signals can be at the same frequency as theoriginal signals. The repeaters thus essentially space shift themicrocell base station devices from the launching point location toother places via radio hops from one utility pole to another. Thelauncher and repeaters can frequency shift the cellular signals via ananalog process (modulating the carrier wave) in such a way the system isscalable and flexible, allowing additional microcells and antenna sitesto be added as well as being communication protocol agnostic. The systemdisclosed herein will work for current cellular communication protocolsjust as well as it will work for future deployments.

For these considerations as well as other considerations, in one or moreembodiments, a system includes a memory to store instructions and aprocessor, coupled to the memory to facilitate execution of theinstructions to perform operations including facilitating receipt of afirst signal from a base station device, wherein the first signal isdetermined to be in a cellular band. The operations include modulating acarrier wave signal with the first signal and generating a transmissionbased on the carrier wave signal and the first signal. The operationscan also include directing the transmission to a remote antennawirelessly.

Another embodiment includes a memory to store instructions and aprocessor, coupled to the memory to facilitate execution of theinstructions to perform operations including receiving a first wirelesstransmission. The operations can also include extracting a signal fromthe first wireless transmission, where the signal is in a cellular bandfrequency. The operations can also include transmitting the signal to amobile device and retransmitting the first wireless transmission.

In another embodiment, a method includes receiving, by a deviceincluding a processor, a defined high frequency transmission directed toa remote antenna. The method can also include identifying a signal froma plurality of signals, that is determined to be associated with theremote antenna, where the plurality of signals are carried in aplurality of channels with the defined high frequency transmission. Themethod can then include extracting the signal, transmitting the signaldirected to a mobile device, and retransmitting the defined highfrequency transmission directed to another remote antenna.

Turning now to FIG. 1, illustrated is an example, non-limitingembodiment of a distributed antenna system 100 in accordance withvarious aspects described herein. System 100 includes one or moremicrocell base stations (shown in more detail in FIGS. 3 and 5) at basestation device 114 that is communicably coupled to a network connectionvia a physical connection (e.g., wired or optical) to a mobile network.In some embodiments, the base station device 114 can be communicablycoupled to a macrocell site or the site's network connection. Macrocellscan have dedicated connections to the mobile network, and base stationdevice 114 can share the macrocell site's connection. Base stationdevice 114 can be mounted on, or attached to light pole 102. In someembodiments, the base station device 114 can be mounted on utilitypoles, or other raised structures. In some embodiments, the base stationdevice 114 can be installed on or near the ground.

Base station device 114 can provide connectivity for mobile devices 120and 122. Antennas 116 and 118, mounted on or near launcher 108 orrepeaters 110 and 112 on light poles (or utility poles or otherstructures) 102, 104, and 106 can receive signals from base stationdevice 114 and transmit those signals to mobile devices 120 and 122 overa much wider area than if the antennas 116 and 118 were located at ornear base station device 114.

It is to be appreciated that FIG. 1 displays three light poles, with onebase station device, for purposes of simplicity. In other embodiments,light pole 102 can have more base station devices, and one or more lightpoles with distributed antennas are possible. In some embodiments, therecan be launchers and/or repeaters without antennas. Antennas can becommunicably coupled to launchers and/or repeaters in areas wheremicrocell deployments are required or can be spaced out to avoidexcessive overlap.

Launcher 108 can receive the signals from the base station device 114that are directed at mobile devices 120 and 122 and modulate a 60 GHzcarrier wave, yielding a group of subcarriers on the 60 GHz carrier. Thelauncher 108 can then transmit the carrier wave to repeaters withinrange, in this case, repeater 110. Repeater 110 can extract the signaldirected toward mobile device 120 from the carrier wave, and radiate thesignal to the mobile device 120 via antenna 116. Repeater 110 can thenretransmit the carrier wave to repeater 112, where repeater 112 extractsthe signal directed at mobile device 122 and radiates the signal viaantenna 118. Repeater 112 can then retransmit the carrier wavetransmission to the next repeater. The repeaters 110 and 112 can alsoamplify the transmission before retransmitting using a combination oflow noise amplifiers and power amplifiers.

In various embodiments, the repeaters 110 and 112 and/or antennas 116and 118 can be assigned to channels that correspond to predeterminedbandwidth ranges in the carrier wave. The repeaters 110 and 112 canextract the assigned signals from the carrier wave, wherein the signalscorrespond to the channels and or bandwidths corresponding to therepeaters and/or antennas. In this way, the antennas 116 and 118 radiatethe correct signal for the microcell area. In other embodiments, thecarrier wave can include a control channel that contains metadata thatindicates which of the subcarriers correspond to the antennas 116 and118, and so repeaters 110 and 112 extract the appropriate signal.

As the 60 GHz carrier wave hops from one radiator site to another,various subcarriers can be added or dropped, depending on the trafficrequirements of that site. The selection of channels to be added ordropped can be controlled dynamically as traffic load shifts.

When mobile devices 120 and/or 122 send signals back to the mobilenetwork, antennas 116 and/or 118 receive those signals and repeaters 110and/or 112 use the signals to modulate another carrier wave (e.g., areshifted to 60 GHz in the analog domain) and then the carrier wave istransmitted back to the launcher 108 where the signals from mobiledevices 120 an/or 122 are extracted and delivered to base station device114.

Turning now to FIG. 2, a block diagram illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a distributed antenna system 200 inaccordance with various aspects described herein is shown. System 200includes one or more microcell base station devices (shown in moredetail in FIGS. 3 and 5) at base station 214 that is communicablycoupled to a network connection via a physical connection (e.g., wiredor optical) to a mobile network. In some embodiments, the base station214 can be communicably coupled to a macrocell site or the site'snetwork connection. Macrocells can have dedicated connections to themobile network, and base station 214 can share the macrocell site'snetwork connection. Base station 214 can be mounted on, or attached tolight pole 202. In some embodiments, the base station 214 can be mountedon utility poles, or other raised structures. In some embodiments, thebase station 214 can be installed on or near the ground.

FIG. 2 depicts a different embodiment than that shown in FIG. 1. In FIG.2, unlike in FIG. 1, the transmission hop between light poles 204 and206 can be implemented using a carrier wave that is sent via a powerline (e.g., a surface wave), or via an underground conduit (e.g., apipe) as a guided electromagnetic wave. In some embodiments, thetransmission 220 can be sent down a wire or other traditional datalink.

Whatever the transmission means, the functionality is similar to FIG. 1,where launcher 208 can receive the signals from the base station 214that are directed at mobile devices 216 and 218 and modulate a 60 GHzcarrier wave, yielding a group of subcarriers on the 60 GHz carrier. Thelauncher 208 can then transmit the carrier wave to repeaters withinrange, in this case, repeater 222. Repeater 210 can extract the signaldirected toward mobile device 216 from the carrier wave, and radiate thesignal to the mobile device 216 via antenna 222. Repeater 210 can thenretransmit the carrier wave via the physical link or as a surface waveover a power line to repeater 212, where repeater 212 extracts thesignal directed at mobile device 218 and radiates the signal via antenna224. Repeater 212 can then retransmit the carrier wave transmission tothe next repeater. The repeaters 210 and 212 can also amplify thetransmission before retransmitting using a combination of low noiseamplifiers and power amplifiers.

Turning now to FIG. 3, illustrated is a block diagram of an example,non-limiting embodiment of a distributed antenna launcher system 300 inaccordance with various aspects described herein. FIG. 3 shows in moredetail the base station 104 and launcher 106 described in FIG. 1. A basestation 302 can include a router 304 and a microcell base station device308 (or picocell, femtocell, or other small cell deployment). The basestation 302 can receive an external network connection 306 that islinked to existing infrastructure. The network connection 306 can bephysical (such as fiber or cable) or wireless (such as a high-bandwidthmicrowave connection). The existing infrastructure that the networkconnection 306 can be linked to, can in some embodiments be macrocellsites. For those macrocell sites that have high data rate networkconnections, base station 302 can share the network connection with themacrocell site.

The router 304 can provide connectivity for microcell base stationdevice 308 which facilitates communications with the mobile devices.While FIG. 3 shows that base station 302 has one microcell base stationdevice, in other embodiments, the base station 302 can include two ormore microcell base station devices. The RF output of microcell basestation device 308 can be used to modulate a 60 GHz signal and beconnected via fiber to an out door unit (“ODU”) 310. ODU 310 can be anyof a variety of microwave antennas that can receive and transmitmicrowave signals. In some embodiments, ODU unit can be amillimeter-wave band antenna apparatus as shown in FIG. 7.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a block diagram illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a distributed antenna repeater system 400 inaccordance with various aspects described herein is shown. ODU 402 canreceive a millimeter-wave transmission sent from another ODU at arepeater or a launcher. The transmission can be a carrier wave with aplurality of subcarrier signals. A repeater 406 can receive thetransmission and an analog tap and modulator 408 can extract a signalfrom the plurality of subcarrier signals and radiate the signal via anantenna 410 to a mobile device. The analog tap and modulator 408 canalso amplify the transmission received by ODU 402 and retransmit thecarrier wave to another repeater or launcher via ODU 404.

Antenna 410 can also receive a communication protocol signal from amobile device, and analog tap and modulator 408 can use the signal tomodulate another carrier wave, and ODUs 402 or 404 can send the carrierwave transmission on to a base station device.

With reference to FIG. 5, a block diagram illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a distributed antenna launcher system 500 inaccordance with various aspects described herein is shown. System 500includes microcell base station devices 504, 506, and 508 that transmitto and receive signals from mobile devices that are in their respectivecells. It is to be appreciated that system 500 is shown with 3 microcellbase station devices purely for exemplary reasons. In other embodiments,a base station site, or cluster can contain one or more microcell basestation devices.

The outputs of the microcell base station devices 504, 506, and 508 canbe combined with a millimeter wave carrier wave generated by a localoscillator 514 at frequency mixers 522, 520, and 518 respectively.Frequency mixers 522, 520, and 518 can use heterodyning techniques tofrequency shift the signals from microcell base station devices 504,506, and 508. This can be done in the analog domain, and as a result thefrequency shifting can be done without regard to the type ofcommunications protocol that microcell base station devices 504, 506,and 508 use. Over time, as new communications technologies aredeveloped, the microcell base station devices 504, 506, and 508 can beupgraded or replaced and the frequency shifting and transmissionapparatus can remain, simplifying upgrades.

The controller 510 can generate the control signal that accompanies thecarrier wave, and GPS module 512 can synchronize the frequencies for thecontrol signal such that the exact frequencies can be determined. TheGPS module 512 can also provide a time reference for the distributedantenna system.

Multiplexer/demultiplexer 524 can frequency division multiplex thesignals from frequency mixers 518, 520, and 522 in accordance with thecontrol signal from controller 510. Each of the signals can assignedchannels on the carrier wave, and the control signal can provideinformation indicating the microcell signals that correspond to eachchannel.

ODU unit 502 can also receive transmissions sent by repeaters, where thetransmission's carrier wave are carrying signals directed at themicrocell base station devices 504, 506, and 508 from mobile devices.Multiplexer/demultiplexer 524 can separate the subcarrier signals fromeach other and direct them to the correct microcells based on thechannels of the signals, or based on metadata in the control signal. Thefrequency mixers 518, 520, and 522 can then extract the signals from thecarrier wave and direct the signals to the corresponding microcells.

Turning now to FIG. 6, a block diagram illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a distributed antenna repeater system 600 inaccordance with various aspects described herein is shown. Repeatersystem 600 includes ODUs 602 and 604 that receive and transmittransmissions from launchers and other repeaters.

In various embodiments, ODU 602 can receive a transmission from alauncher with a plurality of subcarriers. Diplexer 606 can separate thetransmission from other transmissions that the ODU 602 is sending, anddirect the transmission to low noise amplifier (“LNA”) 608. A frequencymixer 628, with help from a local oscillator 612, can downshift thetransmission (which is at or above 60 GHz) to the cellular band (˜1.9GHz). An extractor 632 can extract the signal on the subcarrier thatcorresponds to antenna 622 and direct the signal to the antenna 622. Forthe signals that are not being radiated at this antenna location,extractor 632 can redirect them to another frequency mixer 636, wherethe signals are used to modulate a carrier wave generated by localoscillator 614. The carrier wave, with its subcarriers, is directed to apower amplifier (“PA”) 616 and is retransmitted by ODU 604 to anotherrepeater, via diplexer 620.

At the antenna 622, a PA 624 can boost the signal for transmission tothe mobile device. An LNA 626 can be used to amplify weak signals thatare received from the mobile device and then send the signal to amultiplexer 634 which merges the signal with signals that have beenreceived from ODU 604. The signals received from ODU 604 have been splitby diplexer 620, and then passed through LNA 618, and downshifted infrequency by frequency mixer 638. When the signals are combined bymultiplexer 634, they are upshifted in frequency by frequency mixer 630,and then boosted by PA 610, and transmitted back to the launcher oranother repeater by ODU 602.

Turning now to FIG. 7, a block diagram illustrating an example,non-limiting embodiment of a millimeter-wave band antenna apparatus 700in accordance with various aspects described herein is shown. The radiorepeater 704 can have a plastic cover 702 to protect the radio antennas706. The radio repeater 704 can be mounted to a utility pole, lightpole, or other structure 708 with a mounting arm 710. The radio repeatercan also receive power via power cord 712 and output the signal to anearby microcell using fiber or cable 714.

In some embodiments, the radio repeater 704 can include 16 antennas.These antennas can be arranged radially, and each can have approximately24 degrees of azimuthal beamwidth. There can thus be a small overlapbetween each antennas beamwidths. The radio repeater 704, whentransmitting, or receiving transmissions, can automatically select thebest sector antenna to use for the connections based on signalmeasurements such as signal strength, signal to noise ratio, etc. Sincethe radio repeater 704 can automatically select the antennas to use, inone embodiment, precise antenna alignment is not implemented, nor arestringent requirements on mounting structure twist, tilt, and sway.

In some embodiments, the radio repeater 704 can include an apparatussuch as repeater system 600 or 400 within the apparatus, thus enabling aself-contained unit to be a repeater in the distributed antenna network,in addition to facilitating communications with mobile devices.

FIG. 8 illustrates a process in connection with the aforementionedsystems. The process in FIG. 8 can be implemented for example by systems100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700 illustrated in FIGS. 1-7respectively. While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, themethods are shown and described as a series of blocks, it is to beunderstood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is notlimited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described herein. Moreover, not all illustrated blocks maybe required to implement the methods described hereinafter.

FIG. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of an example, non-limiting embodimentof a method for providing a distributed antenna system as describedherein. Methodology 800 can include step 802, where a defined highfrequency transmission is received from a remote antenna. The firstdefined frequency transmission can be at or greater than 60 GHz. Thetransmission can be received by an outdoor microwave transceiver (e.g.,ODU 602 or radio repeater 704). At step 804, a signal, from a pluralityof signals in the transmission, is identified and determined to beassociated with the remote antenna (e.g., based on the control channel),and wherein the plurality of signals are carried in a plurality ofchannels with the defined high frequency transmission. The plurality ofchannels can be frequency division multiplexed together in someembodiments. The channel that the signals are occupying can determinewhich remote antenna the signals are directed towards, and at step 806,a frequency mixer (e.g., 628) and multiplexer/demultiplexer (e.g., 632)can extract the signal from the plurality of signals and shift thesignal back to the native frequency of around 1.9 GHz. At step 808, thesignal can be transmitted (e.g., by antenna 622) to a mobile device thatthe signal is directed towards. At 810, the defined frequencytransmission can be retransmitted on towards another remote antennaand/or repeater in the chain.

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is illustrated a block diagram of acomputing environment in accordance with various aspects describedherein. For example, in some embodiments, the computer can be or beincluded within the distributed antenna system disclosed in any of theprevious systems 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600 and/or 700.

In order to provide additional context for various embodiments describedherein, FIG. 9 and the following discussion are intended to provide abrief, general description of a suitable computing environment 900 inwhich the various embodiments of the embodiment described herein can beimplemented. While the embodiments have been described above in thegeneral context of computer-executable instructions that can run on oneor more computers, those skilled in the art will recognize that theembodiments can be also implemented in combination with other programmodules and/or as a combination of hardware and software.

Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the inventive methods can be practiced with other computer systemconfigurations, including single-processor or multiprocessor computersystems, minicomputers, mainframe computers, as well as personalcomputers, hand-held computing devices, microprocessor-based orprogrammable consumer electronics, and the like, each of which can beoperatively coupled to one or more associated devices.

The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used in theclaims, unless otherwise clear by context, is for clarity only anddoesn't otherwise indicate or imply any order in time. For instance, “afirst determination,” “a second determination,” and “a thirddetermination,” does not indicate or imply that the first determinationis to be made before the second determination, or vice versa, etc.

The illustrated embodiments of the embodiments herein can be alsopracticed in distributed computing environments where certain tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network. In a distributed computing environment, programmodules can be located in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which caninclude computer-readable storage media and/or communications media,which two terms are used herein differently from one another as follows.Computer-readable storage media can be any available storage media thatcan be accessed by the computer and includes both volatile andnonvolatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example,and not limitation, computer-readable storage media can be implementedin connection with any method or technology for storage of informationsuch as computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured dataor unstructured data.

Computer-readable storage media can include, but are not limited to,random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), electricallyerasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or othermemory technology, compact disk read only memory (CD-ROM), digitalversatile disk (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes,magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devicesor other tangible and/or non-transitory media which can be used to storedesired information. In this regard, the terms “tangible” or“non-transitory” herein as applied to storage, memory orcomputer-readable media, are to be understood to exclude onlypropagating transitory signals per se as modifiers and do not relinquishrights to all standard storage, memory or computer-readable media thatare not only propagating transitory signals per se.

Computer-readable storage media can be accessed by one or more local orremote computing devices, e.g., via access requests, queries or otherdata retrieval protocols, for a variety of operations with respect tothe information stored by the medium.

Communications media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other structured or unstructureddata in a data signal such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrierwave or other transport mechanism, and includes any information deliveryor transport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refersto a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changedin such a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By wayof example, and not limitation, communication media include wired media,such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless mediasuch as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

With reference again to FIG. 9, the example environment 900 forimplementing various embodiments of the aspects described hereinincludes a computer 902, the computer 902 including a processing unit904, a system memory 906 and a system bus 908. The system bus 908couples system components including, but not limited to, the systemmemory 906 to the processing unit 904. The processing unit 904 can beany of various commercially available processors. Dual microprocessorsand other multi-processor architectures can also be employed as theprocessing unit 904.

The system bus 908 can be any of several types of bus structure that canfurther interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memorycontroller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety ofcommercially available bus architectures. The system memory 906 includesROM 910 and RAM 912. A basic input/output system (BIOS) can be stored ina non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable read onlymemory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines that helpto transfer information between elements within the computer 902, suchas during startup. The RAM 912 can also include a high-speed RAM such asstatic RAM for caching data.

The computer 902 further includes an internal hard disk drive (HDD) 914(e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal hard disk drive 914 can also beconfigured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), amagnetic floppy disk drive (FDD) 916, (e.g., to read from or write to aremovable diskette 918) and an optical disk drive 920, (e.g., reading aCD-ROM disk 922 or, to read from or write to other high capacity opticalmedia such as the DVD). The hard disk drive 914, magnetic disk drive 916and optical disk drive 920 can be connected to the system bus 908 by ahard disk drive interface 924, a magnetic disk drive interface 926 andan optical drive interface 928, respectively. The interface 924 forexternal drive implementations includes at least one or both ofUniversal Serial Bus (USB) and Institute of Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers (IEEE) 994 interface technologies. Other external driveconnection technologies are within contemplation of the embodimentsdescribed herein.

The drives and their associated computer-readable storage media providenonvolatile storage of data, data structures, computer-executableinstructions, and so forth. For the computer 902, the drives and storagemedia accommodate the storage of any data in a suitable digital format.Although the description of computer-readable storage media above refersto a hard disk drive (HDD), a removable magnetic diskette, and aremovable optical media such as a CD or DVD, it should be appreciated bythose skilled in the art that other types of storage media which arereadable by a computer, such as zip drives, magnetic cassettes, flashmemory cards, cartridges, and the like, can also be used in the exampleoperating environment, and further, that any such storage media cancontain computer-executable instructions for performing the methodsdescribed herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM 912,including an operating system 930, one or more application programs 932,other program modules 934 and program data 936. All or portions of theoperating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also be cachedin the RAM 912. The systems and methods described herein can beimplemented utilizing various commercially available operating systemsor combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer 902 throughone or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard 938 and apointing device, such as a mouse 940. Other input devices (not shown)can include a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick, agame pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and other inputdevices are often connected to the processing unit 904 through an inputdevice interface 942 that can be coupled to the system bus 908, but canbe connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE 1394serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port, an IRinterface, etc.

A monitor 944 or other type of display device can be also connected tothe system bus 908 via an interface, such as a video adapter 946. Inaddition to the monitor 944, a computer typically includes otherperipheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

The computer 902 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections via wired and/or wireless communications to one or moreremote computers, such as a remote computer(s) 948. The remotecomputer(s) 948 can be a workstation, a server computer, a router, apersonal computer, portable computer, microprocessor-based entertainmentappliance, a peer device or other common network node, and typicallyincludes many or all of the elements described relative to the computer902, although, for purposes of brevity, only a memory/storage device 950is illustrated. The logical connections depicted include wired/wirelessconnectivity to a local area network (LAN) 952 and/or larger networks,e.g., a wide area network (WAN) 954. Such LAN and WAN networkingenvironments are commonplace in offices and companies, and facilitateenterprise-wide computer networks, such as intranets, all of which canconnect to a global communications network, e.g., the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 902 can beconnected to the local network 952 through a wired and/or wirelesscommunication network interface or adapter 956. The adapter 956 canfacilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN 952, which canalso include a wireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with thewireless adapter 956.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 902 can includea modem 958 or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN954 or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN 954,such as by way of the Internet. The modem 958, which can be internal orexternal and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the systembus 908 via the input device interface 942. In a networked environment,program modules depicted relative to the computer 902 or portionsthereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device 950. It willbe appreciated that the network connections shown are example and othermeans of establishing a communications link between the computers can beused.

The computer 902 can be operable to communicate with any wirelessdevices or entities operatively disposed in wireless communication,e.g., a printer, scanner, desktop and/or portable computer, portabledata assistant, communications satellite, any piece of equipment orlocation associated with a wirelessly detectable tag (e.g., a kiosk,news stand, restroom), and telephone. This can include Wireless Fidelity(Wi-Fi) and BLUETOOTH® wireless technologies. Thus, the communicationcan be a predefined structure as with a conventional network or simplyan ad hoc communication between at least two devices.

Wi-Fi can allow connection to the Internet from a couch at home, a bedin a hotel room or a conference room at work, without wires. Wi-Fi is awireless technology similar to that used in a cell phone that enablessuch devices, e.g., computers, to send and receive data indoors and out;anywhere within the range of a base station. Wi-Fi networks use radiotechnologies called IEEE 802.11 (a, b, g, n, ac, etc.) to providesecure, reliable, fast wireless connectivity. A Wi-Fi network can beused to connect computers to each other, to the Internet, and to wirednetworks (which can use IEEE 802.3 or Ethernet). Wi-Fi networks operatein the unlicensed 2.4 and 5 GHz radio bands, at an 11 Mbps (802.11a) or54 Mbps (802.11b) data rate, for example or with products that containboth bands (dual band), so the networks can provide real-worldperformance similar to the basic 10BaseT wired Ethernet networks used inmany offices.

FIG. 10 presents an example embodiment 1000 of a mobile network platform1010 that can implement and exploit one or more aspects of the disclosedsubject matter described herein. Generally, wireless network platform1010 can include components, e.g., nodes, gateways, interfaces, servers,or disparate platforms, that facilitate both packet-switched (PS) (e.g.,internet protocol (IP), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM))and circuit-switched (CS) traffic (e.g., voice and data), as well ascontrol generation for networked wireless telecommunication. As anon-limiting example, wireless network platform 1010 can be included intelecommunications carrier networks, and can be considered carrier-sidecomponents as discussed elsewhere herein. Mobile network platform 1010includes CS gateway node(s) 1012 which can interface CS traffic receivedfrom legacy networks like telephony network(s) 1040 (e.g., publicswitched telephone network (PSTN), or public land mobile network (PLMN))or a signaling system #7 (SS7) network 1070. Circuit switched gatewaynode(s) 1012 can authorize and authenticate traffic (e.g., voice)arising from such networks. Additionally, CS gateway node(s) 1012 canaccess mobility, or roaming, data generated through SS7 network 1070;for instance, mobility data stored in a visited location register (VLR),which can reside in memory 1030. Moreover, CS gateway node(s) 1012interfaces CS-based traffic and signaling and PS gateway node(s) 1018.As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, CS gateway node(s) 1012 can berealized at least in part in gateway GPRS support node(s) (GGSN). Itshould be appreciated that functionality and specific operation of CSgateway node(s) 1012, PS gateway node(s) 1018, and serving node(s) 1016,is provided and dictated by radio technology(ies) utilized by mobilenetwork platform 1010 for telecommunication.

In addition to receiving and processing CS-switched traffic andsignaling, PS gateway node(s) 1018 can authorize and authenticatePS-based data sessions with served mobile devices. Data sessions caninclude traffic, or content(s), exchanged with networks external to thewireless network platform 1010, like wide area network(s) (WANs) 1050,enterprise network(s) 1070, and service network(s) 1080, which can beembodied in local area network(s) (LANs), can also be interfaced withmobile network platform 1010 through PS gateway node(s) 1018. It is tobe noted that WANs 1050 and enterprise network(s) 1060 can embody, atleast in part, a service network(s) like IP multimedia subsystem (IMS).Based on radio technology layer(s) available in technology resource(s)1017, packet-switched gateway node(s) 1018 can generate packet dataprotocol contexts when a data session is established; other datastructures that facilitate routing of packetized data also can begenerated. To that end, in an aspect, PS gateway node(s) 1018 caninclude a tunnel interface (e.g., tunnel termination gateway (TTG) in3GPP UMTS network(s) (not shown)) which can facilitate packetizedcommunication with disparate wireless network(s), such as Wi-Finetworks.

In embodiment 1000, wireless network platform 1010 also includes servingnode(s) 1016 that, based upon available radio technology layer(s) withintechnology resource(s) 1017, convey the various packetized flows of datastreams received through PS gateway node(s) 1018. It is to be noted thatfor technology resource(s) 1017 that rely primarily on CS communication,server node(s) can deliver traffic without reliance on PS gatewaynode(s) 1018; for example, server node(s) can embody at least in part amobile switching center. As an example, in a 3GPP UMTS network, servingnode(s) 1016 can be embodied in serving GPRS support node(s) (SGSN).

For radio technologies that exploit packetized communication, server(s)1014 in wireless network platform 1010 can execute numerous applicationsthat can generate multiple disparate packetized data streams or flows,and manage (e.g., schedule, queue, format . . . ) such flows. Suchapplication(s) can include add-on features to standard services (forexample, provisioning, billing, customer support . . . ) provided bywireless network platform 1010. Data streams (e.g., content(s) that arepart of a voice call or data session) can be conveyed to PS gatewaynode(s) 1018 for authorization/authentication and initiation of a datasession, and to serving node(s) 1016 for communication thereafter. Inaddition to application server, server(s) 1014 can include utilityserver(s), a utility server can include a provisioning server, anoperations and maintenance server, a security server that can implementat least in part a certificate authority and firewalls as well as othersecurity mechanisms, and the like. In an aspect, security server(s)secure communication served through wireless network platform 1010 toensure network's operation and data integrity in addition toauthorization and authentication procedures that CS gateway node(s) 1012and PS gateway node(s) 1018 can enact. Moreover, provisioning server(s)can provision services from external network(s) like networks operatedby a disparate service provider; for instance, WAN 1050 or GlobalPositioning System (GPS) network(s) (not shown). Provisioning server(s)can also provision coverage through networks associated to wirelessnetwork platform 1010 (e.g., deployed and operated by the same serviceprovider), such as femto-cell network(s) (not shown) that enhancewireless service coverage within indoor confined spaces and offload RANresources in order to enhance subscriber service experience within ahome or business environment by way of UE 1075.

It is to be noted that server(s) 1014 can include one or more processorsconfigured to confer at least in part the functionality of macro networkplatform 1010. To that end, the one or more processor can execute codeinstructions stored in memory 1030, for example. It is should beappreciated that server(s) 1014 can include a content manager 1015,which operates in substantially the same manner as describedhereinbefore.

In example embodiment 1000, memory 1030 can store information related tooperation of wireless network platform 1010. Other operationalinformation can include provisioning information of mobile devicesserved through wireless platform network 1010, subscriber databases;application intelligence, pricing schemes, e.g., promotional rates,flat-rate programs, couponing campaigns; technical specification(s)consistent with telecommunication protocols for operation of disparateradio, or wireless, technology layers; and so forth. Memory 1030 canalso store information from at least one of telephony network(s) 1040,WAN 1050, enterprise network(s) 1060, or SS7 network 1070. In an aspect,memory 1030 can be, for example, accessed as part of a data storecomponent or as a remotely connected memory store.

In order to provide a context for the various aspects of the disclosedsubject matter, FIG. 10, and the following discussion, are intended toprovide a brief, general description of a suitable environment in whichthe various aspects of the disclosed subject matter can be implemented.While the subject matter has been described above in the general contextof computer-executable instructions of a computer program that runs on acomputer and/or computers, those skilled in the art will recognize thatthe disclosed subject matter also can be implemented in combination withother program modules. Generally, program modules include routines,programs, components, data structures, etc. that perform particulartasks and/or implement particular abstract data types.

In the subject specification, terms such as “store,” “storage,” “datastore,” data storage,” “database,” and substantially any otherinformation storage component relevant to operation and functionality ofa component, refer to “memory components,” or entities embodied in a“memory” or components comprising the memory. It will be appreciatedthat the memory components described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory, or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory, by way of illustration, and not limitation, volatilememory 1020 (see below), non-volatile memory 1022 (see below), diskstorage 1024 (see below), and memory storage 1046 (see below). Further,nonvolatile memory can be included in read only memory (ROM),programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmable ROM (EPROM),electrically erasable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory caninclude random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cache memory.By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in manyforms such as synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronousDRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM(ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).Additionally, the disclosed memory components of systems or methodsherein are intended to comprise, without being limited to comprising,these and any other suitable types of memory.

Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can bepracticed with other computer system configurations, includingsingle-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computingdevices, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-heldcomputing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, watch, tablet computers, netbookcomputers, . . . ), microprocessor-based or programmable consumer orindustrial electronics, and the like. The illustrated aspects can alsobe practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks areperformed by remote processing devices that are linked through acommunications network; however, some if not all aspects of the subjectdisclosure can be practiced on stand-alone computers. In a distributedcomputing environment, program modules can be located in both local andremote memory storage devices.

The embodiments described herein can employ artificial intelligence (AI)to facilitate automating one or more features described herein. Theembodiments (e.g., in connection with automatically identifying acquiredcell sites that provide a maximum value/benefit after addition to anexisting communication network) can employ various AI-based schemes forcarrying out various embodiments thereof. Moreover, the classifier canbe employed to determine a ranking or priority of the each cell site ofthe acquired network. A classifier is a function that maps an inputattribute vector, x=(x1, x2, x3, x4, . . . , xn), to a confidence thatthe input belongs to a class, that is, f(x)=confidence(class). Suchclassification can employ a probabilistic and/or statistical-basedanalysis (e.g., factoring into the analysis utilities and costs) toprognose or infer an action that a user desires to be automaticallyperformed. A support vector machine (SVM) is an example of a classifierthat can be employed. The SVM operates by finding a hypersurface in thespace of possible inputs, which the hypersurface attempts to split thetriggering criteria from the non-triggering events. Intuitively, thismakes the classification correct for testing data that is near, but notidentical to training data. Other directed and undirected modelclassification approaches include, e.g., naïve Bayes, Bayesian networks,decision trees, neural networks, fuzzy logic models, and probabilisticclassification models providing different patterns of independence canbe employed. Classification as used herein also is inclusive ofstatistical regression that is utilized to develop models of priority.

As will be readily appreciated, one or more of the embodiments canemploy classifiers that are explicitly trained (e.g., via a generictraining data) as well as implicitly trained (e.g., via observing UEbehavior, operator preferences, historical information, receivingextrinsic information). For example, SVMs can be configured via alearning or training phase within a classifier constructor and featureselection module. Thus, the classifier(s) can be used to automaticallylearn and perform a number of functions, including but not limited todetermining according to a predetermined criteria which of the acquiredcell sites will benefit a maximum number of subscribers and/or which ofthe acquired cell sites will add minimum value to the existingcommunication network coverage, etc.

As used in this application, in some embodiments, the terms “component,”“system” and the like are intended to refer to, or include, acomputer-related entity or an entity related to an operational apparatuswith one or more specific functionalities, wherein the entity can beeither hardware, a combination of hardware and software, software, orsoftware in execution. As an example, a component may be, but is notlimited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, anobject, an executable, a thread of execution, computer-executableinstructions, a program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration andnot limitation, both an application running on a server and the servercan be a component. One or more components may reside within a processand/or thread of execution and a component may be localized on onecomputer and/or distributed between two or more computers. In addition,these components can execute from various computer readable media havingvarious data structures stored thereon. The components may communicatevia local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signalhaving one or more data packets (e.g., data from one componentinteracting with another component in a local system, distributedsystem, and/or across a network such as the Internet with other systemsvia the signal). As another example, a component can be an apparatuswith specific functionality provided by mechanical parts operated byelectric or electronic circuitry, which is operated by a software orfirmware application executed by a processor, wherein the processor canbe internal or external to the apparatus and executes at least a part ofthe software or firmware application. As yet another example, acomponent can be an apparatus that provides specific functionalitythrough electronic components without mechanical parts, the electroniccomponents can include a processor therein to execute software orfirmware that confers at least in part the functionality of theelectronic components. While various components have been illustrated asseparate components, it will be appreciated that multiple components canbe implemented as a single component, or a single component can beimplemented as multiple components, without departing from exampleembodiments.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method,apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/orengineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware or anycombination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosedsubject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communicationsmedia. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but arenot limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk,magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digitalversatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g.,card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art willrecognize many modifications can be made to this configuration withoutdeparting from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.

In addition, the words “example” and “exemplary” are used herein to meanserving as an instance or illustration. Any embodiment or designdescribed herein as “example” or “exemplary” is not necessarily to beconstrued as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments ordesigns. Rather, use of the word example or exemplary is intended topresent concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, theterm “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Moreover, terms such as “user equipment,” “mobile station,” “mobile,”subscriber station,” “access terminal,” “terminal,” “handset,” “mobiledevice” (and/or terms representing similar terminology) can refer to awireless device utilized by a subscriber or user of a wirelesscommunication service to receive or convey data, control, voice, video,sound, gaming or substantially any data-stream or signaling-stream. Theforegoing terms are utilized interchangeably herein and with referenceto the related drawings.

Furthermore, the terms “user,” “subscriber,” “customer,” “consumer” andthe like are employed interchangeably throughout, unless contextwarrants particular distinctions among the terms. It should beappreciated that such terms can refer to human entities or automatedcomponents supported through artificial intelligence (e.g., a capacityto make inference based, at least, on complex mathematical formalisms),which can provide simulated vision, sound recognition and so forth.

As employed herein, the term “processor” can refer to substantially anycomputing processing unit or device comprising, but not limited tocomprising, single-core processors; single-processors with softwaremultithread execution capability; multi-core processors; multi-coreprocessors with software multithread execution capability; multi-coreprocessors with hardware multithread technology; parallel platforms; andparallel platforms with distributed shared memory. Additionally, aprocessor can refer to an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), a fieldprogrammable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic controller (PLC), acomplex programmable logic device (CPLD), a discrete gate or transistorlogic, discrete hardware components or any combination thereof designedto perform the functions described herein. Processors can exploitnano-scale architectures such as, but not limited to, molecular andquantum-dot based transistors, switches and gates, in order to optimizespace usage or enhance performance of user equipment. A processor canalso be implemented as a combination of computing processing units.

As used herein, terms such as “data storage,” data storage,” “database,”and substantially any other information storage component relevant tooperation and functionality of a component, refer to “memorycomponents,” or entities embodied in a “memory” or components comprisingthe memory. It will be appreciated that the memory components orcomputer-readable storage media, described herein can be either volatilememory or nonvolatile memory or can include both volatile andnonvolatile memory.

Memory disclosed herein can include volatile memory or nonvolatilememory or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. By way ofillustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory can include readonly memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically programmableROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM) or flash memory.Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM), which acts asexternal cache memory. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM isavailable in many forms such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM),synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhancedSDRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).The memory (e.g., data storages, databases) of the embodiments areintended to comprise, without being limited to, these and any othersuitable types of memory.

What has been described above includes mere examples of variousembodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing these examples, but one of ordinary skill in the art canrecognize that many further combinations and permutations of the presentembodiments are possible. Accordingly, the embodiments disclosed and/orclaimed herein are intended to embrace all such alterations,modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope ofthe appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes”is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term isintended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as“comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in aclaim.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: an antenna; a memory tostore instructions; and a processor, coupled to the memory, tofacilitate execution of the instructions to perform operations,comprising: receiving a first guided electromagnetic wave guided by asurface of a transmission medium, the first guided electromagnetic wavecomprising a first signal previously modulated in a cellular band;obtaining the first signal from the first guided electromagnetic wave;mixing a carrier wave signal with the first signal to generate afrequency converted signal in the cellular band; and transmitting, bythe antenna, a first wireless signal based on the frequency convertedsignal.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first signal comprises aset of subcarriers signals received from a set of base station devices.3. The system of claim 2, wherein portions of the set of subcarrierssignals are directed to respective sets of wireless communicationdevices.
 4. The system of claim 2, wherein the set of subcarrier signalsis combined by frequency division multiplexing.
 5. The system of claim2, wherein the first wireless signal comprises routing information thatindicates to which wireless communication device of a set of wirelesscommunication devices that a subcarrier signal of the set of subcarrierssignals received from the set of base station devices is directed to. 6.The system of claim 1, wherein the first wireless signal has a frequencyof at least 28 GHz.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the first signalconforms to a mobile network communications protocol.
 8. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the operations further comprise: receiving, by theantenna, a second wireless signal from a wireless communication device,wherein the second wireless signal is in the cellular band; extracting asecond signal from the second wireless signal; determining which basestation device of a set of base station devices to which the secondsignal corresponds; and sending the second signal to the base stationdevice to which the second signal corresponds.
 9. The system of claim 8,wherein the second signal is transmitted to the base station device byway of a second guided electromagnetic wave guided by the surface of thetransmission medium.
 10. A system, comprising: an antenna; a memory tostore instructions; and a processor, coupled to the memory, tofacilitate execution of the instructions to perform operations,comprising: receiving, by the antenna, a first wireless signal in acellular band, wherein the first wireless signal is generated by acommunication device, and wherein the first wireless signal includesfirst data; generating a first signal from the first wireless signal;mixing a first carrier wave signal with the first signal to generate afirst frequency converted signal in a millimeter-wave band; andtransmitting a first electromagnetic wave based on the first frequencyconverted signal, the first electromagnetic wave guided by a surface ofa transmission medium.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein theoperations further comprise: receiving a second electromagnetic waveguided by the surface of the transmission medium; generating a secondsignal from the second electromagnetic wave, the second signal includingsecond data; mixing a second carrier wave signal with the second signalto generate a second frequency converted signal in the cellular band;and transmitting, by the antenna, a second wireless signal based on thesecond frequency converted signal, the second wireless signal directedto the communication device.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein thesecond electromagnetic wave comprises an identifier that identifies abase station device that generated the second electromagnetic wave. 13.The system of claim 10, wherein the operations further compriseimproving a signal to noise ratio of the first wireless signal with anamplifier before generating the first signal.
 14. The system of claim11, wherein the operations further comprise amplifying the secondfrequency converted signal with an amplifier before transmitting thesecond wireless signal.
 15. The system of claim 10, wherein the firstwireless signal comprises a plurality of signals including the firstsignal.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the generating comprisesselecting the first signal from the plurality of signals.
 17. The systemof claim 15, wherein the plurality of signals is combined by frequencydivision multiplexing.
 18. A method, comprising: receiving, by anantenna, a first wireless signal in a cellular band; identifying, by asystem, a first signal from a plurality of signals included in the firstwireless signal, wherein the first signal is generated by acommunication device, and wherein the plurality of signals is carried ina plurality of channels; obtaining, by the system, the first signal fromthe first wireless signal; generating, by the system, a firstelectromagnetic wave including the first signal; and coupling, by thesystem, the first electromagnetic wave to a surface of a transmissionmedium, the first electromagnetic wave guided by the transmission mediumand directed to a recipient device.
 19. The method of claim 18, whereinthe generating further comprises converting the first signal to afrequency converted signal in a millimeter-wave band.
 20. The method ofclaim 18, further comprising: receiving a second electromagnetic waveguided by the surface of the transmission medium; generating a secondsignal from the second electromagnetic wave; and transmitting, by theantenna, a second wireless signal including the second signal, thesecond wireless signal operating in the cellular band, and the secondwireless signal directed to the communication device.